Eat Fresh, Buy Local

Over the past decade farmer’s markets have been gaining popularity with todays family’s. Farmer’s in the U.S. are following the practice of age old farmer’s in cities throughout the world and bringing their produce directly to shoppers in parks and parking lots. Sometimes there is live music to set the mood but probably all shoppers enjoy their visit to the farmer’s market.

Farmer’s markets are one the best way to get fresh produce in your area for about 4 months out of the year, even longer in some places. Not only are farmer’s markets a fun place to go where you can shop outside in a community setting but the prices are often lower than supermarkets and the produce is fresher. Most produce stands at a farmer’s market are family farms and many of the growers don’t use chemical pesticides or waxes on their produce so you are getting healthier food.

If you are looking to change the way you eat and move more towards whole foods you can use a ‘diet’ to help guide you. The Maker’s Diet is an organic, holistic and delicious approach to eating or you can also try The Zone Diet by Dr. Sears.

Local Farms

The other best way to get fresh produce (besides growing it yourself) is from local farms. The number of local farms offering fresh produce are actually numerous. Some can be community owned and others are privately owned and open to the public. The atmosphere of local farms is most often pleasing and stress-free. Chances are the produce is picked within the last 24 hours of being purchased so they taste better and are packed with nutrition, just like the ones at a farmer’s market. An added benefit to shopping at local farms or farmer’s markets for produce is the reduction in the amount of gas and packaging that is used to sell the produce. When you buy from the store the produce has usually already travelled hundreds of miles after being taken into the packaging plant that runs refrigeration and then packaged into boxes.

Local Harvest

Ready eat fresh and buy local? Find a farmer’s market or local farm in your area at Local Harvest. You can also find farms that allow you to buy shares and get a bundle of fresh produce every week without pulling a single weed, some even deliver!